From roads to resilience: Haopeng Wang’s circular approach to transport
Decarbonising transport isn’t just about vehicles, it starts with the infrastructure beneath them. At the University of Liverpool, Dr Haopeng Wang is pioneering new approaches to low-carbon and circular transport materials, helping reshape how roads are designed, built and maintained
By Dr. Haopeng Wang. Published: 3 July 2026
Rethinking transport infrastructure
My core focus is on transforming transport infrastructure through low-carbon pavement materials and circular construction approaches. While much attention is placed on vehicle electrification, a significant proportion of emissions lies embedded in the materials and processes used to build and maintain roads.
My research addresses this gap by targeting whole-life carbon reduction, from material production and construction to maintenance and end-of-life reuse. This includes developing alternatives to traditional bitumen, enabling high-value recycling of waste materials such as tyres and plastics, and designing pavements that can be reused or reconfigured rather than replaced.
The key shift is moving from a linear “build–use–discard” model to a circular infrastructure system, where materials are continuously reused and emissions are minimised at every stage.
Real-world delivery
A defining aspect of my work is its translation into practice. I collaborate closely with Liverpool City Council, Connected Places Catapult, and national stakeholders including National Highways to ensure that research outcomes are aligned with real infrastructure needs.
One notable example is the delivery of an international low-carbon “Eco Road” demonstrator in Shanghai, developed through a Global Partnership Fund project with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This project implemented green de-crosslinking technology for waste tyre rubber, enabling high-value recycling into road materials.
The project also led to the establishment of a joint laboratory on tyre rubber recycling, witnessed by Liverpool City Council, strengthening knowledge exchange and future adoption pathways.
Through such demonstrators, I aim to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and scalable deployment, ensuring that decarbonisation solutions are not only technically robust but also practically viable.
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Over £300k research funding secured as Principal Investigator
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Development of:
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Bio-based and sulphur-based binders to reduce reliance on fossil-derived bitumen
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Prefabricated and plastic pavements for modular and circular construction
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Circular material systems for asphalt recycling and rejuvenation
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Innovation and collaboration
What makes my work distinctive is the integration of materials science, digital modelling, and circular economy principles into a coherent framework for infrastructure decarbonisation.
From a technical perspective, I develop materials at multiple scales—from molecular interactions in asphalt binders to structural performance of pavements—using advanced tools such as rheology, multiscale modelling, and physics-informed simulations. This allows us to design materials that are not only low-carbon but also durable and performance-optimised.
Equally important is the translation of these innovations into deployable solutions. By working with industry partners, government bodies, and international collaborators, I ensure that research outputs are embedded into real projects, standards discussions, and policy frameworks.
This combination of deep technical innovation and strong collaboration enables a more rapid and effective pathway to decarbonisation.
Career journey and leadership
My journey into this field has been shaped by a combination of international experience and interdisciplinary research. I completed my PhD at TU Delft in the Netherlands, followed by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship at the University of Nottingham, before joining the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer.
As an early-career academic, I have rapidly established a research programme focused on sustainable transport infrastructure, securing competitive funding and publishing extensively in leading journals. I have also been recognised as a Top 2% Scientist globally, reflecting the impact and visibility of my work.
Beyond research outputs, I have focused on building capability and community. I have established new laboratory facilities for pavement materials at Liverpool, supporting research on low-carbon binders and circular systems. I am also a founding member of the UK Academic Alliance for Pavement and Highway Engineering and serve as Secretary of the National Asphalt Research Consortium, helping coordinate national efforts in sustainable pavement research.
Why this stood out
The judges noted that my work demonstrates “significant advances in sustainable pavement engineering with a commitment to circularity and sustainable materials adoption,” alongside strong individual performance and teamwork.
A key factor is the ability to bridge research and real-world delivery. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical advances, my work actively engages with local authorities, industry, and international partners to deliver demonstrable outcomes, such as the Eco Road project.
Another distinguishing feature is the focus on materials as a critical but often overlooked source of emissions. By targeting the materials layer, i.e., binders, aggregates, and recycled components, I aim to unlock substantial carbon savings that complement wider transport decarbonisation strategies.
Finally, strong partnerships with organisations such as Liverpool City Council, Connected Places Catapult, and global collaborators have been essential in translating research into impact.
This is what the judges said:
"Dr Wang has achieved some very significant advances in sustainable pavement engineering with a commitment to circularity and sustainable materials adoption. The judges were impressed by the level of both individual excellence and teamwork displayed at this stage in his career and noted the strong partnership working with Liverpool City Council and internationally in China – including real work demonstrations."
What happens next?
Looking ahead, my priority is to scale up circular materials and low-carbon infrastructure solutions from pilot projects to broader adoption.
This includes:
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Advancing bio-based and alternative binders towards commercial readiness
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Expanding modular and prefabricated pavement systems for rapid, low-carbon construction
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Developing decision-support tools for whole-life carbon assessment and material selection
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Strengthening collaboration with local authorities and national agencies to enable implementation
Ultimately, the goal is to move from isolated innovations to system-level transformation in how transport infrastructure is delivered.
Why enter next year's awards?
I would strongly encourage other young professionals to enter the Transport Decarbonisation Awards. The process itself is valuable. It provides an opportunity to reflect on your impact, articulate your contributions, and connect with a wider community working towards the same goal.
My advice to those starting out is to:
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Focus on real-world impact, not just technical excellence
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Build strong collaborations across academia, industry, and government
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Be willing to take interdisciplinary approaches to complex problems
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And importantly, stay persistent: decarbonisation is a long-term challenge that requires sustained effort
There is enormous opportunity for early-career professionals to shape the future of transport. The sector needs new ideas, new energy, and new leadership, and this award is a powerful platform to showcase that.
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Decarbonising Transport Awards 2026 Winner
Young Professional Award : Dr. Haopeng Wang
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